Depth bolsters outlook for UM

ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine women’s soccer team has a huge void to fill as goalkeeper Jasmine Phillips, who owns the school record with 35 career shutouts, has graduated.

But that hasn’t prevented 11th-year head coach Scott Atherley and his players from eyeing this season with optimism.

“The thing about this year that I’m most pleased with so far is our depth,” said Atherley. “We’ve brought in 10 new players and they’re quality players. Given the way the game has evolved, you need to have more depth at this level. It’s something we haven’t had the past two years and historically we’ve never had because we haven’t had to.

“And now, because of the physical nature of the game and the number of injuries, we can’t be in a position where we lose a key player and it impacts our season. That’s where we’re best postured this year,” added the 43-year-old Atherley.

With the exception of the goalkeeper position, Maine has depth, experience and balance in every other spot on the field.

“There’s going to be a lot more competition for every spot,” said senior striker Veronique Fleury.

Senior back Anjelica Hodgson said the Bears have talented players “who can step in anywhere so we’ll be able to go harder all the time and then have people step in and keep the level up as well.”

Hodgson, who had a goal a year ago, and Cristina Di Ielsi will anchor the back line, Di Ielsi, who had two assists, was Maine’s only All-America East honoree as she was a second team selection.

“We’re confident we can hold [opponents] down and push the team to the next level this year,” said Hodgson.

Maine gave up 20 goals last season.

Lewiston senior Laura Martel (3 goals, 0 assists last year) will try to bounce back from an injury-marred 2008 season and make the move from striker to attacking midfielder with Gorham junior Kelsey Wilson (2 & 2) becoming more of a holding [defensive] midfielder. Atherley said Wilson made remarkable strides during their spring season.

Senior Alli Krous and junior Ashley Diver have also made “giant strides,” according to Atherley and 5-foot-10 freshman midfielder Maddie Hill “gives us some qualities we haven’t had in the midfield the previous two years: an athletic, attack-minded player who can run at defenders, shoot from distance and play dangerous balls behind the defense.”

Frenette-Blais can also be productive in the midfield as well as in the back said Atherley.

Martel, who had six goals as a sophomore, and sophomore Carolyn Nellis (3 goals, 3 assists last year) are among several strikers who should improve on last year’s goal total of 17 in 19 games.

Fleury (2 & 2), converted sophomore back Courtney Harnais, who was the team’s leading scorer during the spring; 6-1 freshman Josee Descoeurs and Greenville junior Hannah Breton will also see duty up front.